Key-responsive cycle initiating



May 15, 1951 s. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS 18 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 INVENTOH May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS 2,552,789

KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR y 1951 G. w. HOPKINS 2,552,789

KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NV EN TOR.

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KEY-RESPONSIVE. CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIDE [E I NV EN TOR.

May 15, 1951 s. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 I NV EN TOR.

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KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 SheetsSheet '7 INVENT OR.

May 15, 1951 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 G. W. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 163 MI 111* 164 E 165 FEE=LJL IN VEN TOR.

May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS 18 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 WOON INV EN TOR.

May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS l8 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 20. 1946 INVENTOR.

May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS l8 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 q UX EMBOQ W INVENTOR.

May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS 2,552,789

KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 Sheets-Sheefi l3 'FDIEE ELEII sas ma l' "'l +1 L l L I INVENTOR y 1951 G. w. HOPKINS 2,552,789

KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS Filed Sept. 20, 1946 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 IN VEN TOR May 15, 1951 Filed Sepl'. 20, 1946 G. w. HOPKINS 2,552,789

KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 IN VENTOR.

May 15, 1951 G. w. HOPKINS KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEANS l8 Sheets-Sheet 17 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 NDM WEHDEP INVENTOR .chines. ,ferred to, when performing addition, the item Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY-RESPONSIVE CYCLE INITIATING MEAN S George W. Hopkins, San Leandro, Calif., assignor to Friden Calculating Machine Co., Inc., a corporation of California Application September 20, 1946, Serial No. 698,314

28 Claims. 1

This invention relates to calculating machines, and particularly to machines of the full flexible keyboard type.

The invention will be disclosed as embodied in a machine of the type disclosed in the patent to Friden 2,229,889, issued January 28, 1941. However, it is to be understood that the invention may have broader applications to calculating machines of other types and also to adding ma- In a calculating machine of the type reis set up on the keyboard 5!) (Fig. 1) which comprises a plurality of ordinally arranged rows 5|, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 51, 58, 59, 60 and keys 65 bearing the numerals to 9. After the plus bar 66 is depressed it causes the item set on the keyboard 50 to be additively registered in the accumulator 6'1, if the item is to be subtractively registered, the minus bar 68 is depressed.

An object of this invention is to eliminate the necessity for operating the plus and minus bars 65, 68, in order to facilitate the use of the calculating machine in performing problems of addition and subtraction.

Another object of the invention is to place the mechanism for initiating the registering operation under control of the keyboard in which the value is set so that setting the value therein causes the registering operation to begin.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby depression of a key in the units order of the keyboard initiates the registering operation. This means makes it possible for the operator to set the item up on the keyboard beginning with the highest order digit, and upon depression of the units order key, the registering operation is initiated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby simultaneous depression of a plurality of keys respectively in different orders will, upon release of the last key, cause initiation of the registering operation.

"A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the two previously mentioned modes of operation are provided in the same ma- Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a conventional keyboard may be utilized in carrying out the invention.

Other objects will become evident after a reading of the following disclosure.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 to 11 show a first modification of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine.

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial section with parts omitted, taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section with parts omitted, taken on the line 5-5 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective of an operation control key.

Figure '7 is a side elevation of the plus and. minus keys.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view.

Figure 9 shows the solenoids for operating the plus and minus keys.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary section with parts omitted, showing the selector switch, the view being taken on the line Ill-40 in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram.

Figures 12 to 19 show a second modification of the invention.

Figure 12 shows a mechanical means for springloading the plus and minus keys.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the key mechanisms.

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the plus and minus keys.

Figure 15 shows the solenoids for bringing the plus and minus keys into operation.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary section of the power key.

Figure 17 is a section taken on the line |'l-l l in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a plan view taken on the line l8l 8 in Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a wiring diagram.

Figure 20 shows a third modification, and comprises a wiring diagram of electrical means by which a conventional keyboard may be utilized.

Figures 21 to 24 show a fourth embodiment.

Figure 21 is a vertical longitudinal section of the front of the keyboard.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of parts shown in Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a front elevation of the selector lever and mechanisms associated therewith.

Figure 24 is a section taken on the line 2424 in Figure 21.

Figures 25 to 28 show a fifth modification.

Figure 25 shows means for operating one of the switches.

Figure 26 shows means for operating another of the switches.

Figure 27 shows the cyclic control switch.

Figure 28 is a wiring diagram.

In all other modifications of this invention which are to be described, the use of the mechanism thereof is optional, so that in any event the operator may, if he wishes, operate the machine in the conventional manner.

Referring to Figure 2, the numeral keys 65 may be selectively depressed to differentially position pinions H with respect to the teeth on actuator 12. The actuator 12 is driven from a cyclically operable main drive shaft 13 and upon rotation, rotates one of the pinions 1| and the square shaft 14 on which it is mounted a differential amount corresponding to the number of the key 65 depressed. This difierential rotation is transmitted to the shaft 11 on which the numeral wheel is mounted, either additively or subtractively, depending upon the adjustment of the reversing gear 18, adjustment of which is determined by a bail or gate 19. Cyclic operation of the drive shaft 13 and positioning of the gate 19 may be controlled by the plus and minus keys 66, 68 (Fig. l) However, in accordance with the present invention, this is only true when the selector lever 82 is disposed in the central or normal operation position. If it is moved to the plus position, depression of the plus key is unnecessary, as will now be described.

In the conventional keyboard each row of keys is provided with a latch slide 85 (Fig. 2) which is cammed rearward b a cam 86 on the key stem, and when the key is fully depressed the latch slide 85 is spring-returned forwardly to enter a notch 81 in the key. The key is shown in latched position in Figure 4. Suitably mounted for sliding movement parallel to the latch slide 85 and disposed beneath the keyboard is a switch operating slide 90. This slide is provided in the present embodiment in the units order 5| only. As shown in detail in Figure 8, depression of the key 65 beyond its latching position causes the cam 86 on the key to move the switch operating slide 90 rearwardly against the tension of its spring 92 (Fig. 2) to close a microswitch 93.

As will presently be explained, closure of the switch 93 causes energization of the solenoid 95 (Fig. 9) which rocks a bellcrank 96. The plus key 66 has a two-part key stem, an upper part I and a lower part WI. The lower part I0! has an ear I02 thereon which is engaged by the bellcrank 96. A spring I03 attached to the ear I02 and to a stud in the frame urges the lower part IOI of the key stem upwardly.

The structure of the key stem is shown more clearly in Figures 6 and '7. The upper part I00 is provided with slots I06, I01 for slidable mounting on studs I08, I09 in the frame. The lower key stem IOI has slots IIO, III for slidable mounting on the same studs. The lower key stem I0! has a stud H2 and a roller II3. As shown in Figure 3, stud H2 is adapted to cooperate with a cam face II on the clutch operating slide H6, and the roller H3 is adapted to cooperate with a cam face I I9 on the gate operating link I20. The clutch operating slide and the gate operating link are conventional parts of the calculating ma.- chine. The link I20 is supported on an arm I23 at its forward end and is pivotally connected to an arm I24 at its rearward end which is secured to the shaft I25 and gate 19 (Fig. 2). Clutch operating slide H6 abuts a pin I28 on the clutch control lever I29 (Fig. 5) which, when rocked clockwise, causes engagement of the cyclic pawl and ratchet clutch I30 of conventional construction. The lever I29 is connected by a link I3I to a lever I32 which operates the switch control lever I33 so that whenever the clutch control lever I29 is moved to clutch engaging position the switch I34 is closed to start the motor.

Thus it will be seen that depression of any key 65 in the units order 5| of the keyboard 50 will move the slide rearwardly to close a switch 93 and energize the solenoid (Fig. 9) to rock the bellcrank 96 which pulls the lower key stem III downwardly to cause engagement of the clutch, closure of the motor switch, and movement of the gate to additive position. The lower part of the key stem is latched down by the conventional latch I46 which engages a pin I4I on the key stem, and this latch is released at the end of the cycle by the cam I42. During the type of operation just described, the upper part I00 of the plus bar key stem does not move; instead it is retained in its raised position by a leaf spring I44 (Fig. 9) engaging an ear I45 on the upper part of the key stem. If the operator chooses to utilize the plus bar when the selector lever 62 (Fig. 1) is set in its normal operation position, depression of the upper part I60 of the plus bar key stem through the ear I45 depresses the leaf spring I44 which closes the micro switch I46 which also causes energization of the solenoid 95.

Similar mechanism may be employed to obtain subtractive registration, in which case the selector lever 82 (Fig. 1) is moved to minus position, which causes closure of the switch 93 to energize the solenoid I49 (Fig. 9) which, through a bellcrank I50, draws down the lower part IUI of the minus bar key stem. Similarly, if the operator chooses to depress the minus bar 68, when the selector lever 82 (Fig. 1) is set in its normal operation position, the upper part of its key stem, through its ear I5I, depresses the leaf spring I52 of a microswitch I53 which also causes energization of the solenoid I49. As can be seen in Figure 3, when the lower part I0! of the minus bar key stem is depressed its pin [I2 moves the clutch control slide [IS in the same manner as the plus bar, and its roller II3 engages a reverse cam I56 which moves the gate operating link I28 forwardly to adjust the gate to the subtract position.

The structure of the selector switch will now be described by reference to Figure 10. The lever 82 is provided with a detent I 60 which holds it in any one of its three adjusted positions. As shown in Figure 10, it is in the central or normal operation position when the switch I63 is normally closed, and the switches I64, I65 are normally open. If the lever 82 is moved forwardly to the add position a pin I66 thereon opens the switch I63 which in turn closes the switch I64 and similarly, if the selector lever 82 is moved rearward to the subtract position, the pin I66 opens the switch I63 which in turn closes the switch I55.

Referring now to the wiring diagram shown in Figure 11. The plus solenoid 95 is connected by a line I10 to one side Ill of the power supply. The solenoid 95 is also connected by a line I12 to one side of the switch I64, the other side Of which is connected by a line I13 to one side of the switch 93, the other side of which is connected by a line I14 to the other side of the power supply I15. 

